Vijay's first TVK Maanaadu: 5 memorable things he said about leaving the cinema, decent politics, social change and more

Vijay wore a white shirt and beige pants (like a real politician) and a red and yellow scarf in his party's colors as he arrived at the venue flanked by security guards. In a dramatic moment, he walked up a ramp through the crowd onto the stage and gave a fiery speech that made his political stance clear. Here are five takeaways from his speech.

“I threw my career away”

Vijay has had an illustrious career since the early 90s and is a superstar in Tamil Nadu. After making almost 70 films, the actor surprised everyone with his decision to leave cinema at the peak of his career and pursue politics. Addressing the public, he said, “I threw away my career at its peak, I threw away my remuneration… I am here as your Vijay, let us walk by faith, let us walk with hope.”

“Not for cash or social media”

Vijay also criticized those who hold mass meetings with an ulterior motive, saying that despite the large turnout, none of them were purely for online influence. “This is not a meeting for social media. “This is a mass gathering that is not about money, but about a good cause,” he said passionately, adding, “And now there is no turning back.”

“Politics is a battlefield”

The actor said he takes politics seriously but also treats it with a touch of humor. “Politics is not a cinematic field, it is a battlefield. It's serious. Whether it is dealing with a snake or politics… only if we decide to approach the matter with seriousness and a touch of humor can we endure and deal with adversaries,” he said.

“Koothadi is not an insult”

Vijay also touched on how people dismiss actors who enter politics as 'koothadi' (actors). “I am not the only one called Koothadi. When someone enters the cinema field, they are told that their face is not right, that their hair is not right, and that they will face humiliation. They are still waiting for a chance to work,” he said, adding, “Films are not just about dance and songs; They are tools for social change. I ask whether Koothadi is an insult or an insult. The word speaks of values, politics and truth.”

“Not because of fear or lack of courage”

Vijay made it clear that he wants to avoid naming names while talking about the state's politics – not out of fear but out of decency. “I left out names, not out of fear or lack of courage. We are not here to call people names and attack them with curse words. We want to pursue decent policies with the support of the people and adopt a decent approach even when attacking ideological or political enemies,” he said.

What's next for Vijay?

Vijay will soon shoot for a political action thriller directed by H. Vinoth, which is touted to be his last. Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju and Monisha Blessy also star in the film. The actor will contest the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.